The latest edition of IndyCar’s safety device, the Aeroscreen, was unveiled at Long Beach a few weeks ago. This new version brings several changes to the original 2020 design. The underlying halo structure has been updated during the offseason to reduce weight, and the cars now feature a new polycarbonate screen and carbon fiber frame starting from the second race of the season. One of the significant updates in the new Aeroscreen design is the addition of more vents to cool the drivers by bringing air into the cockpit. Long vents have been added on the top of the windscreen, and the side air inlets have been slightly modified. However, these changes have not yielded the intended results.
Drivers have universally reported that the front air intakes do not seem to provide any benefit. Some drivers have even reached their hands up during races to check for airflow and found none. Graham Rahal shared his experience during the race weekend at Barber, stating that he held his hand up and couldn’t feel any air coming through the vents, which was unusual. Despite the initial backlash when the new Aeroscreen was introduced, drivers have adapted to it, and the topic is no longer frequently discussed. However, improvements are still desired, especially considering the current warmer conditions.
The more significant issue lies with the side intakes, which route air through a hose connected directly to the driver’s helmet. These side intakes, although only slightly different from the original design, are not delivering as much air as before. This worsens the already uncomfortable conditions inside the cockpit. Drivers have promptly reported their findings to IndyCar’s inspection and technical teams. These teams are now working on finding small modifications that can restore the previous level of airflow, which was present for the past four seasons.
Will Power, one of the drivers, believes that the reduced air going into the helmet is due to the air entering through the slots at the top. He suggests that closing off these slots and increasing the air in the helmet would be preferable. Breathing in their own air inside the helmet is described as brutal, as the head is where the body releases heat. However, the upcoming Indy 500 will not feature the new Aeroscreen as the high speeds reached on the superspeedway typically provide enough airflow to the drivers. Interestingly, the previous version of the Aeroscreen, with fewer air vents, may actually provide more relief based on recent feedback. The new design will continue to be used on road and street courses for the remainder of the season, with potential small modifications to help the drivers cope with the summer racing season.